Sprint offers first Bluetooth CDMA phone to customers

Owners of CDMA wireless phones have had to rely on wired headsets or the Jabra adapter, but according to PDABuzz the first Bluetooth CDMA phone is now available from Sprint. You can order the Sony Ericsson T608 only by calling 1-866-PCS-AUTO, the phone is not available online. Sprint will be selling a limited number of these phones for $199.99. For some reason PDABuzz's article states that you cannot use the phone with the unlimited data plan. The plan discussed is the PCS Vision plan for 3MB of data per month for $15. The T608 has a 128 x 128 pixel screen with over 65,000 colors, integrated Bluetooth and 5-way navigation joystick and two soft keys. The phone comes with several Bluetooth profiles, including handsfree, headset, dial-up networking, serial port, and synchronization. The real benefit of Bluetooth with a wireless phone is the ability to use a Bluetooth headset and its nice to see that owners with CDMA service now have this option.

USER COMMENTS 54 comment(s)

woo!(12:33pm EST Wed Dec 24 2003)I just spoke to Sprint, and the article is incorrect. It can be used on an existing plan with unlimited visions. I just ordered mine ) – by shadowcat

But will it work with handhelds(1:45pm EST Wed Dec 24 2003)My experience with bluetooth cells and Palm and Sony has been that the available software (built-in and otherwise)function only with GSM phones. I wonder if it will work with CDMA? – by mememem

RE: mememem(2:24pm EST Wed Dec 24 2003)It does work with CDMA. There are thousands of people who have been waiting for this phone (almost a year now) and a very select few got demo units to play with. They were able to do everything that the GSM phones can do – only faster. – by t608geek

more info(2:25pm EST Wed Dec 24 2003)You can find more info about this phone, as well as its history (for any interested) at – they have a pretty big section devoted to this great phone. – by t608geek

Faster than GSM!?!?(6:08pm EST Fri Dec 26 2003)Faster than GSM still remains to be seen. I have the T608 paired with my Clie TG50 and I find it to be slow as hell and I'm just trying to get to the WAP and PDA friendly web site. There is a long delay before I see any page. Anyone else care to comment on the speed? – by MajorTom

Firmware Version?(10:39am EST Sat Dec 27 2003)Hey,

Could anyone tell me what firmware version they have in their T608 phone?

Type 2#7#9# at the standby screen and press joystick-right. The software version should be 3 lines down.

Thanks!– by danielK

S/W revision(9:16pm EST Sun Dec 28 2003)My SW revision is: R1A189 S

I've successfully paired this with both my iPaq h4155 and Tapwave Zodiac. I can't comment on the speed difference between this and the T610/T616 (essentially a similar version of the phone using GSM/GPRS). I know that CDMA's data network is supposed to be much faster than GPRS, but it all feels slow compared to cable modem. – by Scott R

Can't use T616 on Sprint(12:37pm EST Mon Dec 29 2003)“Anyone using a hacked T616 on a Sprint Network?”

That's not possible. The T616 uses GSM/GPRS while the T608 is a CDMA phone. Here's an interesting question, though…Can anyone get the T608 working with Verizon? The T608 can roam on Verizon (both digital and analog), so it should be technically possible. – by Scott R

Web Access Setup(3:18pm EST Thu Jan 01 2004)Can MajorTom or someone who has this working post the setup process to enable the Palm to use the Vision connection on the phone? I can't seem to get it to work. The T608 and my TG50 are paired, but I can't establish the network connection.

Thanks!!

– by -Jeff P

Software Version(3:20pm EST Thu Jan 01 2004)R1A189 S – by Jeff P

Bluetooth Phone(11:34am EST Tue Jan 06 2004)What about the Motorola Timeport 270 with the optional Bluetooth interface? This was offered by Verizon 2 years ago. Or does this not count since the Bluetooth was actually an option? – by Mark J

Software Version(7:30pm EST Mon Jan 12 2004)R1A189 S – by Mike Baas

Connecting T608 to an BT Ipaq(11:24am EST Sun Jan 18 2004)Has anybody been able to connect to Internet on the PDA (Ipaq) via the T608. What number do you need to dial, what are other issues? Thanks, – by Martin

More info(6:17pm EST Mon Jan 19 2004)You can also get more info here:

– by T608.com

Total Waste of Time(1:49pm EST Tue Jan 27 2004)It's very simple why Sprint has been against adding Bluetooth from the beginning, they don't want people to abuse their $10/month, unlimited Vision network access. And really who wouldn't? That would be the deal of a lifetime! Easy and quick access to a wide-ranging wireless network for the cost of cell phone service plus $10, that'd be awesome! Of course, you could actually go to the time and effort to get a link cable and some small software to do the same thing with just about any Sprint phone, right now. But since most people are too lazy to go to the trouble of actually wiring their phones, Sprint let's that slide. But once you add in simple networking with Bluetooth, suddenly there's alot more people out there leeching bandwidth. It could potential kill their network in a day! I think it sucks alot, but I can understand why Sprint does what they do. :p – by MaxSMoke

Not Really a Waste(3:34pm EST Thu Feb 12 2004)It's not true that just about any phone would work with cables and some time. There are plenty of cables for 2G phones, but only the LG5350 and more recently the Sanyo 4900 have cables available for 3G data. The LG5350 is not a great phone by most accounts. The Sanyo is good, but the cable is $79.95 and was on backorder for months. – by Dan

Swapping phone numbers(4:29pm EST Mon Feb 16 2004)I have my UX50 and T608 paired and online. I can't seem to find a simple way to send my address book from the Palm to the phone. Am I missing something simple?

Thanks.– by XyzZy

T608 just arrived, but…(9:00pm EST Thu Feb 19 2004)Sprint seems clueless about which plan to recommend. I currently have a plan for my old phone, which is a free and clear (no vision).

I don't plan to browse the web or access email on the phone itself at all, but would like to dial up to get POP3 e-mail. I need Vision for this? And how exactly to they track data? Someone mentioned something about a 3MB limit, but I get about 10MB a day in my work email.

Any suggestions on the right plan? Really do appreciate it and will share any breakthroughs I may discover. Pete – by Pete

How to connect T608 using bluetooth to Ipaq 5450(4:18pm EST Wed Apr 14 2004)I know some of you have made it work using bluetooth from T608 to Ipaq 4155. Can you share with us the procedure Scott? Or anyone? – by wiehan

T608 & Ipaq 4355(11:50pm EST Mon Apr 19 2004)This is as far as I get. This is displayed on my Ipaq 4355:

Waiting for deviceAuthentication successfulDiscovering device T608Waiting for device…An error occurred while attempting service discovery. Please make sure the remote device is turned on, Bluetooth in enabled an the device is discoverable and try again.

Before I start the connection I make the T608 discoverable.

Any ideas?

Alexapetras@hologic.com – by Alex

Sprint &Palm Tungsten T #(4:41pm EST Sat May 01 2004)I have Sprint service on my portable phone. I bought a Palm T -3, How can I get my e-mail from AOL on my Palm? What do I have to buy? HELP! – by Stuart

Sprint Bluetooth & BMW(7:43pm EST Wed May 12 2004)Has anyone been able to connect their Sprint bluetooth phone to one of the 2003 or 2004 BMW X-5's. The vehicle is bluetooth compatable but my local dealer has no idea how to make it work.HELP!! – by Brad

2003 BMW X-5(12:16pm EST Thu May 27 2004)Brad,My dealership, BMW Northwest in TacomaWashington sells the option for bluetooth phone compatability. Might want to give their service dept a call for the step by step instructions avail to get your system connected. Good LuckLet me know how it goes, I am considering adding the option but do not know of anyone who has purchased the system and has it up and running- – by KC

608 & Chrysler UConnect(1:15pm EST Thu May 27 2004)Has anyone had experience making the 608 phone work with Chrysler's UConnect system? Chrysler is selling it in the Chryler 300's, PT Cruisers, Pacificas, and in Jeeps also. Any comments will be appreciated. – by Russ

Bluetooth & Toyota Prius '04(11:24am EST Thu Jul 08 2004)I am lucky enough to have a newToyota Prius '04 and I am a Sprint PCS customer. Any suggestions on the best phone to interact with the car's hand free telephone system and stay with Sprint? Thanks Georgeous Geeks! – by DivaGirl

T608(7:50pm EST Fri Jul 09 2004)I live in montana and we only have verizon and cellone but it is on a cdma network can I still use this phone? I really want somthing with bluetooth – by blah

Blue Tooth and BMW(9:22am EST Fri Jul 30 2004)I work for BMW NA HQ. I have Sprint and the T608 infact does connect fine in the X5. Starting 2005, all BMW models will have the option of built in Bluetooth and iPod docking stations. I have the Sanyo VM4500 at the moment.

I have been looking at the SE 900T. I am seeing on E-bay people selling it, but I don't think Sprint will even connect an unlocked phone. Can anyone confirm this? Also, I haven't upgraded to bluetooth because I want a phone that has BT and a built in camera. Anyone know if this is in the works, or what the quality of the plug in camera is on the T608? – by Lazaro

Bluetooth,Prius(8:40pm EST Sun Oct 03 2004)I also have a new Toyota Prius 05, and am a Sprint PCS customer.Is anybody out there aware of a Bluetooth phone that is compatable with Sprint's cdma system? – by jedwards

Will the IPOD Connector ever work with Premium Sound, navigation, and satellite or will I have to give one or more of them up if I go with the BMW IPOD Connector?

Dension () Ice-Link apparently works with DSP and Satellite with a special cable they can provide. The only functionality difference is that it doesn't allow you to use the CD changer buttons on the radio to select pre-set play lists. However, dension is working on an upgrade that creates a video output of the IPOD data (artists, songs, tracks, playlists, etc) to the Nav system. If BMW's connector will support this, How long will it take?

Also, I am planning to buy the Palm Treo 650 which will be bluetooth compatible. do you think it will work with the current aftermarket bluetooth install will all the other stuff I have in the car?

– by Justin

Lexus Bluetooth & Sprint.(11:27pm EST Wed Dec 29 2004)My new Lexus SC 430 is bluetooth enabled but I have 5 family members on a Sprint account locked up for 2 years. Is there a decent cellphone from Sprint that would allow this connection? – by fmrodmd

lexus rx 330 and sprint(6:59am EST Sun Jun 05 2005)I have a new lexus rx 330 with a navigation system and am looking for a sprint phone that is compatible. Am happy with sprint and would prefer not to change. Any phone available? cn – by cn

Verizon phone on Sprint's network(9:37pm EST Wed Jun 29 2005)Can someone tell me if I can get a Verizon phone to work on my existing Sprint phone number? I want to use a Blackberry 7250. – by Bondo

Help please! (12:22pm EST Sun Jul 10 2005)I'm trying to pair my sprint bluetooth phone with my 2006 525i, the phone does not find a device….What am I doing wrong and what should I do…….thanks inadvance………TG – by toby gentry

2006 Range Rover Sport & Sprint Bluetooth(1:07pm EST Sun Aug 21 2005)We just purchased a 2006 Range Rover Sport and we have Bluetooth. We are trying to find a Nokia phone with Sprint that has Bluetooth capability. Anyone know of one? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. – by Nina

BMW & Bluetooth(5:16pm EST Mon Sep 12 2005)I bought the sony T608 on ebay…its an old phone but it works flawless in my 2005 BMW 330ci Yourphone book shows up in the radio display and you can scroll thru it and placve a call without ever taking your hands off the wheel. When a call comes in…..the radio will shut off and you'll hear it ringing thru the speakers. After the call, the radio will resume. But its an old phone and I dont like it too much. I bought the pm 325 by LG and that doesnt work too good in the car. I may switch to Cingular. – by Jeff

range rover sport 2006 and blackberry 7250 bluetooth(4:34pm EST Wed Nov 16 2005)can any one offer some help. I have had trouble getting a consistent bluetooth connection with my range rover.I have adjusted the “trusted” and have encryption enabled. My previous Motorola worked perfectly in the same car.

Any advice ? – by Greg

Range Rover 2006 and Motorola(3:20pm EST Fri Dec 02 2005)Greg,I have a new RR 2006 adn wonder which Motorola worked perfectly in your car. I have Verizon and suspect their Motorola phone would be best for my 2006 RR. – by Russ

Range Rover and Sketchy Bluetooth(11:43pm EST Thu Dec 15 2005)I have a '05 RR, and like Greg, my previous Motorola phone (thru T-moblie) worked just fine. Unfortunately a few weeks ago I switched to Verizon and got the Motorola E815 and have had horrendous problems with connections, people not being able to hear me when I can hear them, my phone dialing the number but the screen not responding or dialing…of course when I went to the dealership then it was working at that moment! YIKES! – by Kristin

SANYO PM8200 & BLUETOOTH(7:48am EST Sat Dec 17 2005)I'VE ADDED A BLUETOOTH ADAPTER TO THE PM8200 AND IT WORKS BUT I HAVE A TUNGSTEN E2 THAT I'D LIKE TO CONNECT WHAT CAN I DO ? – by DURACELL101

2003 BMW 325i & Bluetooth(10:41am EST Wed Jan 18 2006)Anyone have any suggestions as to what phone will work on a 2003 BMW 325i's bluetooth? – by Glenn